Carpet cutting and trimming tool



Dec. 9, 1969 w. K. PATERSON 3,482,310

CARPET CUTTING AND TRIMMING TOOL Original Filed Feb. 17, 1967 Av a MdM/M K 247E250 INVENTOR.

3,482,310 CARPET CUTTING AND TRIMMING TOOL William K. Paterson, 5521 Edgemere Drive, Torrance, Calif. 90503 Continuation of application Ser. No. 616,867, Feb. 17, 1967. This application June 28, 1968, Ser. No. 752,423 Int. Cl. B2611 29/02 US. Cl. 30293 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A carpet trimming and severing tool adapted for convertible use in trimming the edges of a carpeted floor against the baseboard or the like upright surface and, alternatively, to sever carpeting into smaller sections, particularly along a parting line between adjacent rows of tufting. The tool includes a pair of handgrips a first one of which extends along one lateral edge of the main body and a second one of which is detachably and adjustably secured to the tool body. The opposite lateral corners of the tool body are equipped with cutting blades and the edge of the body therebetween is relieved to facilitate trimming about corners, columns and the like nonstraight surfaces.

This application is a continuation of my application for United States Letters Patent Ser. No. 616,867, filed Feb. 17, 1967, now abandoned, entitled Carpet Cutting and Trimming Tool.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application for United States Letters Patent Ser. No. 469,775, filed July 6, 1965, now abandoned, entitled Carpet Trimming Tool.

This invention relates to carpet cutting tools and more particularly to an improved combination cutting and trimming tool featuring a pair of operating handles selectively usable along with a selectively rnountable blade for separating large areas of carpet into two or more pieces as well as for trimming the selvage of a carpet along a line substantially flush with the junction of the floor with the room side wall. The invention tool is particularly useful with carpeting adapted to be bonded to the floor with excess material turned upwardly against the baseboard before trimming. Thereafter, the carpet base is trimmed substantially at the junction of the floor with the side wall while the adjacent nap is depressed. To facilitate this trimming operation, the main body of the invention cutting tool is supported acutely inclined against the surface of the carpeting with the cutting edge of the blade pressed against the wall at or immediately above the junction of the wall with the floor. At other times the tool is useful with a second handgrip extending along one longitudinal edge of its thin main body to sever carpeting While the main body is disposed in an upright position as the cutting edge of the blade advances along the base of the carpet between adjacent rows of tufting. When so used, the first mentioned or trimming handle may be collapsed or entirely removed. Desirably, the longitudinal edge of the main body opposite the handgrip is sufficiently thin as to be insertable between the rows of tufting and serves to maintain the tool accurately aligned for advancement using two rows of tufting for guidance purposes. The handle employed for carpet trimming purposes is adjustable to lie at different angles relative to the plane of the main body. Also the tool includes an extendable guide shoe means adjacent its handgrip for use in supporting the main body at an acute angle while the tool is being used to trim the upturned selvage edge of carpeting secured to the floor.

Prior carpet cutting and trimming tools are lacking in many desirable attributes particularly when laying car- United States Patent f 3,482,310 Patented Dec. 9, 1969 ICC pet by recently developed techniques avoiding the need for tacking strips and the like. Instead, the carpeting is bonded to the floor to eliminate the possibility of stretchng and looseness in use. This mode of securing carpeting in place has important time saving advantages and provides a superior end product but presents a problem in trimming the laid carpet with accuracy and so that the nap lies flush against the adjacent side wall.

The main body supporting the blade or blades of the present tool comprises a large area thin but rigid member provided with a handgrip along one longitudinal edge and a pair of blade clamping accessories at the corners of its other longitudinal edge. When used for trimming the selvage from carpet bonded to the floor a second handle preferably adjustably secured to one end of the handgrip is used to draw or push the tool along the surface of the carpet with the main body acutely inclined to the carpet surface and with the point of its cutting blade severing the carpets base substantially at floor level and at the junction of the latter with the side wall.

Accordingly, it is a primary objective of the invention to provide a versatile and improved carpet cutting and trimming tool selectively useful to cut selvage of laid carpeting and to separate carpeting into large area sections using adjacent rows of tufting to guide the tool in a straight line across the carpet.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved carpet cutting and trimming tool for accurately trimming the edge of carpeting previously bonded to the fioor While depressing nap immediately adjacent the cutting blade.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a trimming device for wall-to-wall carpeting so constructed and arranged that the cutting blade will trim the carpet along a concealed severance line acutely inclined to the horizontal and closely adjacent the level of the floor on which the carpeting is laid.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a carpet trimming tool having adjustable glide shoe means for supporting the trimming blade at an acute angle and in position to hold the nap depressed and effective to trim the carpet base at a level such that the severance line will be concealed by the released nap after passage of the tool.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a carpet cutting tool having a thin flat main body provided with one or more cutting blade clamping means adjacent the corners of one longitudinal edge and featuring at least and preferably a pair of handgrips.

These and other more specific objects will appear upon reading the following specification and claims and upon considering in connection therewith the attached drawing to which they relate.

Referring now to the drawing in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention cutting tool and used to trim carpeting after being secured to the floor;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view along the left hand side of the tool as viewed in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational view showing the tool in use to trim selvage from carpeting secured to the floor;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view showing the tool in use to cut carpeting into strips before being laid; and

FIGURE 6 is an end view of the FIGURE 5 operation. 1 Referring initially more particularly to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a carpet cutting and trimming tool designated generally 10 incorporating the features of the present invention. The tool has an elongated wide and quite thin rigid main body 11 which is quite thin along the edge carrying the cutting blade which may be and preferably is thicker along its opposite edge. Molded integral with or securely fixed to the thicker edge is a curved handgrip 12 which extends along one lateral edge and arcuately across one end of the main body. The forward end of the handgrip is relatively thin and its rear end is generally cylindrical and provided with a ring of serrations 13 which interlock adjustably with serrations on a second handle 14 having the general contour best shown in FIGURE 2. The serrated end of handle 14 is preferably slotted or bifurcated to fit readily over the threaded shank 15 anchored to the end of handgrip 12. A wing nut 16 threaded to this shank serves to lock handle 14 in any desired adjusted position. When wing nut 16 is sufficiently loosened, handle 14 can be rotated to any adjusted position or withdrawn crosswise of threaded shank 15. Under certain conditions of use, handle 14 is not necessary and may interfere with the proper use of the tool. In this case it is readily detached as appears from FIGURES 5 and 6.

Main body 11 is preferably provided with two shallow recesses 18, 18 for seating a suitable sharp cutting blade. One such double edged blade is indicated at 19 and includes a slot 20 cooperating with a clamping thumb screw 21 to lock the blade in any desired extended position.

When the cutting tool is used to trim the selvage of carpeting already secured to the floor as by adhesive, the tool is preferably supported at an acute angle to the horizontal by glide shoe means 25. Shoe means 25 is loosely mounted in a slot 26 extending through handgrip 12. One side of this slot may be serrated to mate with serrations 27 on the facing Surface of the guide shoe. Desirably, the outer edge of the guide shoe is provided with a broadened face providing a smooth glide surface when supported against the nap of the carpet in the manner shown in FIGURE 3. The shoe is supportable in any adjustable position by clamping thumb screw 29. When this thumb screw is loosened the guide shoe is shiftable in either direction along slot 16 or to a position completely removable from the slot. The slot also preferably includes a recess 39 sufficiently large to accommodate the enlarged edge portion of the shoe when the latter is not needed.

When used to trim the selvage edge of carpeting, tool 10 is assembled as shown in FIGURES 1 to 4, carpet 33 being secured to the floor by adhesive or other suitable bonding means and surplus 34 being turned upwardly against the baseboard or side wall of the room. This portion is not bonded and is free of attachment to the wall. The next step is to adjust glide shoe 25 to the proper position so that when the tool is pressed downwardly against the carpeting by application of the operators pressure to handle 14, blade 19 is properly positioned to trim selvage 34 against the side wall with the blade cutting through the carpet base well below the relaxed outer ends of the tufts. The operator applies pressure to the tool in such manner as to press the free edge of the main body and the cutting blade in particular into the carpet nap as to cut the base of the carpet as close as possible to floor level. The corners of main body 11 adjacent the cutting blade penetrate the nap and serve to depress the nap immediately in advance of the cutting blade. However, the major portion of the free edge of main body 11 between recesses 18 may be relieved or cut away as indicated at 35. This gives the operator a better view of the area undergoing cutting and also facilitates depression of the nap immediately adjacent the cutting operation without need for applying pressure to other portions of the nap. Some users prefer to push the tool ahead of them from the curved end of handle 14 whereas others prefer to pull the tool toward them from the free end of handle 14. Owing to the location of the blade seating recesses 18, 18 relative to the corners of the main body, it will be apparent that the tool can be advanced almost fully into the corner of a room. As soon as the tool has severed the selvage, the nap passed over by the cutting blade resumes its normal upright position and lies upright snugly against the baseboard or wall. Accordingly, there is no gap or recess in which dirt or debris can lodge and an unusually neat finished appearance is provided.

Not infrequently, it is desirable to cut the carpet into smaller pieces for fitting operations before being bonded to the floor. The present tool is admirably suited for such severing operations and may be so used while handle 14 is either attached or detached. If the tool is to be used for protracted periods in such manner, the handle is detached along with glide shoe 25. Handgrip 12 is then grasped by the user with his index finger lying along the top rounded forward end of the tool. The blade 19 is preferably mounted in the forward one of recesses 18 and adjusted as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6. The tool is then inserted between adjacent rows of tufting in carpet 33. Desirably, this is done by inserting the rear corner of the main body between two rows at one edge of the carpet and then drawing the tool along these rows until the blade supporting end of the tool enters between the same two rows of tufting. The tool is held firmly in an upright position as it is drawn along the carpeting with the blade end of the tool and the corresponding rear corner remaining firmly in position between the two selected rows thereby making certain that the carpet is cut in a straight line parallel to the rows of tufting.

After the cutting operation shown in FIGURES 5 and 6 has been completed, the tool is readily and quickly adjusted for trimming selvage in the manner shown in FIGURE 3. It is, therefore, apparent that a highly versatile, convertible cutting and trimming tool is provided operating on principles quite distinct from those of prior carpet cutting tools, and having important advantages thereover.

While the particular carpet cutting and trimming tool herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A convertible carpet cutting tool for use selectively to trim the edge of a laid carpet along its line of junction with an upright wall while supported on laid carpeting as well as to divide carpeting into smaller pieces while the tool is supported generally normal to the carpet, said tool having a relatively thin generally rectangular main body provided with a first handgrip mounted on the longer edge thereof and having a thin corner at one end of its other longer edge adapted to enter between rows of nap while said main body is supported normal to carpeting to cut the same into smaller pieces, means for clamping a sharp blade to said thin corner portion of said other longer edge of said main body with the sharp edge facing toward the remote end of the main body and inclined acutely to the longitudinal center thereof and with its end projecting sufficiently beyond the main body to assure cutting through the base of a carpet, glide shoe means adjustably clamped to said main body adjacent said handgrip and cooperating with the opposite longer edge of the main body to support the tool on the carpet while being drawn across the surface of laid carpeting to support the blade in use in an inclined position with the tip of its cutting edge positioned to trim the upturned edge of the carpet against the wall at a level between floor level and the top surface of the nap, and a second handgrip lying generally parallel to said first handgrip for use in skidding said cutting tool across laid carpeting to trim the carpet against the room wall or the like upright surface.

2. A carpet cutting tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said glide shoe means is collapsible to a position wherein its glide shoe surface is generally coextensive with the surface of said handgrip.

3. A carpet cutting tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said main body includes means for clamping a blade at each end corner of the edge remote from said handgrip and with the cutting edges of the blades facing toward the opposite ends of said main body and diverging away from one another and from the main body of the tool.

4. A carpet cutting tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of means for clamping said second handle to said main body in differently adjusted positions about an axis extending lengthwise of said main body and convenient for use in pulling said tool along the carpeting while the main body of the tool is supported at an acute angle relative to the surface thereof.

5. A carpet cutting tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said first handgrip is curved to extend along one longer edge and across one transverse end of said main body and serves to reinforce the latter.

6. A carpet cutting tool as defined in claim 5 characterized in the provision of means for securing one end of said first handgrip to one end of said second handle and locking said second handle selectively in different angular positions relative to the plane of said main body.

7. A carpet cutting tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the major portion of the longitudinal edge of said main body remote from said first handgrip is recessed sufficiently to permit carpet nap in advance of the trimming operation to assume a normal relaxed and upright position before being depressed for severance of the carpet base.

8. A carpet trimming tool having an elongated broad thin main body provided with a handgrip for use in manipulating said tool, guide shoe means extending length- Wise adjacent a first longitudinal edge of said main body, adjustable clamping means for securing said guide shoe selectively in different adjusted positions below the lower surface of said main body and cooperating with the remotely positioned second longitudinal edge of said main body to support the main body of the tool inclined acutely to the surface of carpeting laid on a fioor, and at least one Sharp trimming blade means secured to the upper side of said main body and inclined downwardly at an acute angle to the horizontal with its cutting tip projecting slightly from one end corner portion of the second longitudinal edge of said main body, said blade means having a sharp cutting edge facing toward the remote end of said main body and inclined acutely to the second edge thereof with the cutting tip of the blade positioned to trim the upturned edge of the carpeting against a side wall of a room being carpeted at a level closely spaced above the floor supporting the carpet being trimmed and below the upper surface of the laid portion of the carpet.

9. A carpet trimming tool for use in a finish trimming operation of a carpet after the same has been laid and secured to the floor right up to the line of junction between the fioor and an upright surface, said tool having an elongated rigid base adapted to be supported with one lateral edge bearing against the laid carpet and closely spaced from an upright surface of the room being carpeted, trimming blade means secured to said base and having a sharp-edged tip projecting slightly from said one lateral edge with the plane of the blade inclined downwardly toward the fioor and with the cutting edge facing toward the remote end of the base with the tip operable to trim the laid carpet against the aforementioned upright surface along a line below the upper surface of the nap and closely spaced above the junction of the upright surface with the floor as said trimmed tool is skidded along the carpet with the tip of the trimming blade substantially free of pressure acting transversely of the blade thickness and bearing against the upright surface, the lateral edge of said rigid base carrying said trimming blade being cut away along a major portion of its length between the opposite ends of said edge to facilitate movement of that edge of the tool about corners, columns and the like type of upright surfaces as trimming progresses, and .handgrip means secured to said base to one side of said trimming blade so as not to interfere with a clear view of the trimming blade as the tool is advanced.

10. A carpet trimming tool having an elongated broad thin main body with its opposite lateral edge portions operable to support skid-fashion said main body directly on a carpet to be trimmed with a major portion of the main body shaped to be out of contact with the carpet, one of said lateral edges being relieved along a major portion of its length between its opposite ends to facilitate movement of that edge of the tool about corners, columns and the like about which a carpet is being trimmed, means adjacent one end corner of said one edge to support a cutting blade with its cutting edge facing toward and projecting downwardly toward the floor and diverging from the center of said main body, the projecting tip of said cutting edge being free of vertically acting loading as the trimming tool is skidded along the carpeting in a trimming operation and projecting outwardly beyond said one edge in a position to trim the base of a carpet against an upright backing for the carpet at a level substantially below the surface of the carpet nap and close to but above the surface of the floor, and handgrip means carried by said main body and extending generally lengthwise thereof.

11. A carpet trimming tool as defined in claim 9 characterized in that said handgrip means is substantially c0- extensive in length with said main body and comprises an elongated member arched lengthwise of said main body, and means adjustably connecting one end of said handgrip means to said main body about an axis extending lengthwise of said first side of the main body.

12. A carpet trimming tool as defined in claim 10 characterized in that said cutting blade supporting means includes separate means at the opposite ends of said tool for clamping separate cutting blades therein with their respective tips and cutting edges facing toward one another and diverging transversely across the corners at the opposite ends of said second edge of said trimming tool.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,382,579 5/1968 Prater 30-293 X 3,395,453 8/1968 Prater 30293 2,772,474 12/1956 Hill et al 30-293 FOREIGN PATENTS 180,593 6/ 1922 Great Britain.

JAMES L. JONES, JR., Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 30-3 14 

